Artificial selection on anther exsertion in wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum.

To study the genetic architecture of anther exsertion, a trait under stabilizing selection in wild radish, artificial selection on anther exsertion was applied for 11 generations. Two replicate lines each of increased and decreased exsertion plus two randomly-mated controls were included. Full pedigree information is available from generation five.

Chronic kidney disease: what's in a name?

There is a lack of precision and clarity in the terms used to describe chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inconsistent terminology is confusing for both practitioners and patients. The purpose of this article is to review and examine various terms used to label CKD and to propose an evidence-based recommendation to support the use of a standard terminology for CKD.

A systematic review of factors influencing decision-making in adults living with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To identify factors influencing patient involvement in decision-making in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and effective interventions to support their decision-making needs.

Methods: A systematic review included studies and decision support tools that involved: (1) adults with CKD, (2) studies published from 1998-2008; and (3) a focus on patient decision-making needs, and/or barriers and facilitators to shared decision-making. Studies were quality appraised.

Why do patients choose self-care dialysis?

Background: Self-care dialysis (SCD) is associated with cost savings and possibly improved quality of life compared to in-centre haemodialysis. Despite this, less than one in four dialysis patients are currently treated with SCD. Our objectives were to identify perceived advantages of SCD associated with increased odds of selecting SCD, and to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on patients' perceptions of these advantages.

The impact of education on chronic kidney disease patients' plans to initiate dialysis with self-care dialysis: a randomized trial.

Background: Compared with in-center hemodialysis, self-care dialysis (including home and self-care hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) is less resource intensive and associated with similar clinical outcomes. However, utilization of self-care dialysis has been very low. We performed a randomized controlled trial in predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (GFR <30 mL/min) to determine the impact of a patient-centered educational intervention on patients' intention to initiate dialysis with self-care dialysis.

A cluster of novel serotonin receptor 3-like genes on human chromosome 3.

The ligand-gated ion channel family includes receptors for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate. Drugs targeting subtypes of these receptors have proven useful for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. To identify new ligand-gated ion channels as potential therapeutic targets, drafts of human genome sequence were interrogated.